There were mixed feelings galore surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers after they finalized an expectation-defying trade with the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic. Jubilation filled fans, as they envisioned the kind of transcendent effect the 25-year-old superstar guard could have on the franchise in the long term.

JJ Redick played 13 games with the Dallas Mavericks after he was dealt to the team at the NBA's trade deadline in 2021. Now, nearly four years later, he's the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and will coach his former star teammate, Luka Dončić.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick faces his toughest challenge yet as he tries to keep L.A.’s postseason hopes alive in a fiercely competitive Western Conference. The Lakers currently sit at 28-19, showcasing flashes of brilliance but struggling to find consistency,